Combo vs Head/Cabinet

[Mountain Fever]

I've always been a combo owner. Lately as I am lugging 80# around I think that maybe there is some wisdom in going it in two pieces; which for my needs would be a head and a 2x12 cabinet.

Is there any appreciable sound difference to have one platform over the other? I would likely be talking about open back models.

 

[camsna]

Yes.



I pulled my Mk III out of its combo and run it through the most badass 212 ever built. I dig the 112 open-back EV thing - but my current head/cab setup smokes it.

But all in all, it'll depend on the cab and speakers and and and and...

The cool thing about the combo, though - is that when you roll up to a gig with a little baby Mk III combo, nobody is prepared for the tone that comes out of it! Total sleeper! My head/cab setup looks almost as assuming as it really is.

 

[MrMarkIII]

Once you go Thiele, you'll have the real deal-ie.

 

[Elpelotero]

Next time you play, do some palm mutes and put your other hand behind the combo by the tubes. Make sure you're playing at a high volume. Feel the air? That's all lost air. A closed cab will hold that air inside and result in a much tighter, deeper, and focused tone. The combo is good for cleans and "airier" sounds where you get some loss of bass. A combo also sounds more "3D."

 

[Barry]

I used to be a combo player for years but I dont think I will ever go back to that . I feel the primary function of a combo is the convenience of having everything in one box . So you are giving up a bit on sound IMHO . Having the cab seperate is yet another way to dial your tone in . Im much happier having ext. cabs than the combo . I know the combo players will disagree but thats why they make so many designs . To satisfy all the different needs .

 

[fishyfishfish]

I like both. I like the fact that at some gigs I can just bring my head and use the house cab, OR I like the fact that I can just grab a combo and not have to worry about the house cab or my 4x12 up/down a flight of stairs.

 

[Dr GearHead]

I have an 1x12 Ace and a 2x12 Orange cab.

Great versitility and I have the option of running the cab on the opposite side of the stage to spead the sound a bit better.

 

[creekhed]

I LOVE the plug and play functionality of my LSC 2X12... as well as the open back.

 

[ja22y]

I've always been a combo owner. Lately as I am lugging 80# around I think that maybe there is some wisdom in going it in two pieces; which for my needs would be a head and a 2x12 cabinet.

Is there any appreciable sound difference to have one platform over the other? I would likely be talking about open back models.

With same speakers and cab, there shouldn't be any difference in sound. I'm thinking about converting my 2x12 combo into a head/cab myself. Beside portability, additional benefit is the tubes will be subjected to less vibration and should help with microphonic issue. The down side is it costs more.